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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
If you’re not a fan of the miscommunication trope, then the first 1/3 of this book is really going to frustrate you. The absolute refusal of the MCs to speak to each other had me wanting to slap some skulls, but once you work past that it’s a really fantastic read. I love stories with plenty of lovely secondary characters and this one had that in spades. Plus, we get lots more Walter and Kelly. Need I say more?
Solid 4 stars! Definitely recommend.
Solid 4 stars! Definitely recommend.
There was a lot I liked about this book, some of it despite myself. It really descended into melodrama near the end, but I was pretty riveted anyway. I loved that Walter and Kelly were so much a part of things.
These HEA endings for new adult books are kind of a problem for me though. Love Lessons was the first new adult novel I'd read, and I'm willing to buy that Walter and Kelly had that one in a million connection that makes it plausible for them to get engaged while still in college. Generally speaking, though, I think it's highly unlikely for people to find their life mates as freshmen in college. I get that that's just kind of a convention of the genre (and to be fair, our heroes are not _quite_ engaged by the end of Fever Pitch), but it makes this old twice-married lady raise an eyebrow.
These HEA endings for new adult books are kind of a problem for me though. Love Lessons was the first new adult novel I'd read, and I'm willing to buy that Walter and Kelly had that one in a million connection that makes it plausible for them to get engaged while still in college. Generally speaking, though, I think it's highly unlikely for people to find their life mates as freshmen in college. I get that that's just kind of a convention of the genre (and to be fair, our heroes are not _quite_ engaged by the end of Fever Pitch), but it makes this old twice-married lady raise an eyebrow.
This book was so beautiful. I loved everything about it. The first one was good but this one was amazing. I loved the new characters, how their relationship developed, how the old characters were still such an important part of this one, the music, how music can help you heal and most of all the community. This book gave me such a feeling of unity and being there for the people you care about and helping them through things. It made me feel like I was a part of them. This has def become one of my top M/M romance books out there. Because it really had everything, sexy scenes, good plot, great characters and so much cuteness. I can't wait to read the next one and see my two damaged boys. Because omg the shit that happened in this one towards the end. I was hurting for them and so angry at how some people are just unbelievable. And now I'm rambling. Im keeping this short. I loved this book. 5 stars for me.
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. That was amazing!
I couldn't stop reading! For real, the whole day.
Walter is freaking awesome. Aaron and Giles were adorable AND THANK GOODNESS FOR GILES' PARENTS. ♡
I love all the supporting characters and may be biased towards Mina! ;) I want to read about everybody!
And super curious about Elijah and Baz. I want to freaking reread Love Lessons AND THEN THE NEXT ONE OF COURSE.
My heart on the last chapter. Just yes. ♡♡♡
I couldn't stop reading! For real, the whole day.
Walter is freaking awesome. Aaron and Giles were adorable AND THANK GOODNESS FOR GILES' PARENTS. ♡
I love all the supporting characters and may be biased towards Mina! ;) I want to read about everybody!
And super curious about Elijah and Baz. I want to freaking reread Love Lessons AND THEN THE NEXT ONE OF COURSE.
My heart on the last chapter. Just yes. ♡♡♡
Another fantastic book from Heidi Cullinan, she never fails to impress, I laughed, swooned and cried...a lot...reading this one <3
Featuring a new university but some of the same characters as the original, this is a lovely sequel to Love Lessons.
Aaron and Giles were a hot mess of a pair, much lack of communication at the beginning but their eventual reconciliation was well done and totally real.
The book also has a real heart to it, a community based around music and the joyful benefits it can bring and it comes across in spades in this story.
Aaron and Giles were a hot mess of a pair, much lack of communication at the beginning but their eventual reconciliation was well done and totally real.
The book also has a real heart to it, a community based around music and the joyful benefits it can bring and it comes across in spades in this story.
“The life you’re meant to lead is worth fighting for. Worth crying for, even worth bleeding for. When you sing the right song, your life opens before you, and all the pain and sorrow become the bricks you build your castles with.”
This was amazing, I'm pretty sure the book itself is fabulous but I'm so in love with Iggy Toma's voice that he could read the phone book and I'd give it 5 stars.
Okay so that's probably not true but my point is that this audio is outstanding. Can't recommend it enough!!
As for the story? Giles and Aaron are adorable. Giles bothered me a bit at times, I was 100% sympathetic of what he went through and I understood why he was so negative but I found him almost childish and pouty on occasion. Nevertheless as the story progressed and he became more comfortable with himself and in his relationship with Aaron he became a firm favourite and pretty hardcore 'knight in shining armor' to be honest.
“I wish you’d stop writing people off before they have a chance to surprise you.”
Aaron absolutely broke my heart, it was painful to witness his anxiety and self doubt at times but what was amazing, was that despite his toxic upbringing, when he was in a good place, he oozed charisma and warmth. Once he became certain of himself (with the help of Walter and Giles) he lit up everything around him.
“Maybe it’s meant to be, and maybe it isn’t, but you need to try. Go in there and be fabulous, whatever the outcome.”
Even though Aaron and Giles were wonderful there were some characters who stole the show in this:
All of Salvo, that whole story line was lovely, and I really enjoyed how the Ambassadors and Salvo became so protective of each other. Walter. Everything Walter. Walter forever!! "I am your safe place."
And most of all Elijah. Elijah is caustic and snarky and damaged and I want to kidnap him and smother him in love, even though I'm pretty sure he would scratch my eyes out if I tried. His story not only breaks my heart it makes me absolutely livid and I could rant (and have) on the topic of his parents 'faith' but this review would be never ending and become less about the book and more about fuckwads who pick and choose the bits of 'Christianity' that suit them, so I won't do that.From the 'I'm still praying on it' email to the constant pushing away the people trying to help him I adored Elijah. His rants and his snark never felt childish to me but necessary for his survival. I can't wait for him and Baz.
Obviously this one has all the music, AMAZING music!! And I had to do a playlist, I'm pretty sure I'm missing a few of these but I think I got like 80%:
Bend and Break - Keane
No Light - Florence and the Machine
Let's Get It Started - Black Eyed Peas
Baby One More Time - Britney Spears
Lover to Lover - Florence and the Machine
Somewhere Only We Know - Keane
Take Me Home - Phil Collins
I'm Coming After You - Owl City
Titanium - David Guetta ft Sia
Let It Go - Idina Menzel (Frozen soundtrack)
lighthearted
slow-paced
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A